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Because it is trying to: (1) make all speakers play at the same level and (2) make the system play at film reference level when the master volume is set to 0 dB.

The individual speaker levels are just relative number to achieve the goals above. If the speakers have high sensitivity and the listening distance is close then the levels will be set as you see them. This is not a problem in any way.

Because if the speakers in your room and at your listening distance were set closer to 0 then you would be listening louder than film reference when the master volume is at 0 dB! This way we set the speakers to the exact sound pressure level used in the studio so that when you turn the volume down Dynamic EQ can properly make the adjustments needed.

Yes, if you raise the levels then Dynamic EQ will not be calibrated correctly. There is really no difference whatsoever if you have the trims down to around -8 and you listen at a higher volume. Turning up the trims is *identical* to turning up the volume control--and everything remains calibrated.

Trims are the individual levels of each speaker. It's a bad idea to change them because (1) it makes no difference to the overall level--it's the same as turning up the volume control and (2) it messes up the Audyssey Dynamic EQ calibration

Onkyo has a relative and absolute volume mode setting. You can select in the menu. 0 dB in one mode is reference and 83 dB (I think, please check in the manual) is the reference in the other mode. They simply use a different way to report the volume control setting.

HI chris, cant adjust it on the 606, but i have just been sold that before setting the audessey up select a volume level say 40 on the amp and that becomes your refrence point then so when the audessey does its thing, 40 becomes the studio refrence point.

No, there is no such thing... I wonder where all this "information" comes from... The studio reference point is at a given sound pressure level. Audyssey sets the speaker levels so that you can listen at studio reference when you turn the master volume up to 0 dB. Make sure your volume control is in that mode (Onkyo provides two different modes to present the numbers).

Hi chris, i only have the choice of Absolute with the 606, which i why i thought that selecting a volume refrence point before calibration made sense, as if i set it at volume 40 then i know when i turn it upto 40 thats the studio refrence pojnt.

so it does not matter what volume i have set be it ten or 80 it will give the same result and i will not know where the refrence point volume is.

OK, on the TX-NR606 the volume control can go from 1 to 79, right? Onkyo defines the reference listening volume at 63 on that scale. MultEQ sets the speaker levels so that at volume setting 63 you are listening at studio reference. That will be pretty loud for most people. So, we developed Dynamic EQ. Once you turn the volume down from there, Dynamic EQ starts making adjustments to preserve the proper low and high frequency balance. That's why it's important to not change the individual speaker levels. It will throw off the Dynamic EQ calibration.